The quake, which occurred at 7:34 a.m. local time with its epicenter in San Jose del Palmar, Choco departament, was also felt in Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, according to the agency.

The source added that so far, two aftershocks have been recorded, of magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8, the latter with widespread reports of being felt.

For now, the SGC noted, reports of damage have been received in some areas, including Manizales and Armenia, information that continues to be verified by the relevant authorities. The agency also noted that the seismic activity recorded in the area is due to the natural tectonic dynamics of western Colombia, associated, among other processes, with the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.

Among the historical precedents is the earthquake that occurred on November 23, 1979, with a magnitude of 7.2, it revealed.

The agency stated that it continues to conduct ongoing monitoring of seismic activity and will provide official and timely information as new data becomes available.

According to the Colombian Association of Capital Cities (Asocapitales), at least twenty deaths have already been reported: 18 in Pereira; two in Manizales; and one in Quibdo.

“In addition to this toll, there is serious structural damage in these cities and in Cali, where search, rescue, assistance, and damage assessment efforts continue,” the organization reported in a statement. He added that a hundred rescuers are already preparing to travel from Bogota to the territories designated by the National Government.

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